Ceramic Collection and Archive

The Ceramic Collection and Archive are the focus of a number of research initiatives at the School of Art. The Ceramic Collection is one of the major collections of studio ceramics in Britain and is particularly noted for its studio pottery of the period 1920-1940 when the main collection was formed. Since 1974 an active acquisition policy has built up an equally strong collection of contemporary ceramics both national and international. The public gallery is based at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Funding for acquisitions has been supported by the Victorian and Albert/Resource Purchase Grant Fund and the Art Fund. The exhibition programme in the gallery with touring and in-house curated shows is supported by an education programme with workshops, lectures and events for children from the early years through to students and the general public.

The Ceramic Archive, based at the School of Art, collects paper documents, audio and video material related to the collection and the history of ceramics. Particular research projects include initiatives relating to ceramics in Wales, gender and ceramics and traditional potters in World Ceramics. This work is supported by grant funding from the Arts Council of Wales, CyMAL, the British Academy and the AHRC. Aberystwyth University is a partner body in ICRC which publishes the electronic refereed journal Interpreting Ceramics. There are currently four PhD students working on ceramic research projects at the School of Art.